Tin dioxide dodecahedral nanocrystals anchored on graphene sheets with enhanced electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries

Graphical abstract: The nanocomposite of SnO₂ dodecahedral nanocrystals (DNCs) anchored on graphene sheets (GS) exhibits excellent electrochemical performance for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). - Highlights: • SnO₂ dodecahedral nanocrystals (DNCs) anchored on graphene sheets (GS) have been synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method. • The SnO₂ DNCs-GS nanocomposite exhibits significant enhanced Li-battery performance compared with the pure SnO₂ DNCs. • This work indicates the importance of rational synthesis of graphene-based materials for high-performance lithium ion batteries (LIBs). - Abstract: Combination of transition metal oxides and graphene sheets (GS) is an effective strategy to improve the electrochemical performance of transition metal oxides. In the present work, we report a facile and simple hydrothermal method to synthesize the nanocomposite of SnO₂ dodecahedral nanocrystals (DNCs) anchored on GS as an advanced anode material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Benefiting from the unique properties of graphene, the SnO₂ DNCs-GS nanocomposite exhibits significant enhanced Li-battery performance compared with the pure SnO₂ DNCs. The initial discharge and charge capacities of the SnO₂ DNC-GS electrode are 1653.2 and 1085.6 mA h g⁻¹, respectively. After 50 cycles, it still exhibits a high discharge capacity of 783.9 mA h g⁻¹ at the current density of 200 mA g⁻¹. Remarkably, the discharge capacity of the SnO₂ DNCs-GS can still retain as high as 730.3 mA h g⁻¹ at a high rate of 5 A g⁻¹, indicating good rate capability. The electrochemical results suggest the SnO₂ DNCs-GS nanocomposite would be a promising candidate as anode material in energy storage applications for high-performance LIBs. Our study also highlights the importance of rational design and synthesis of graphene-based materials for high-performance LIBs